Clinical Partners - Right to Choose

Hi Peter. I have just had ADHD and ASD assessments with Clinical Partners, both positive. As most have mentioned, the assessors were very easy to get on with and be myself. The questionnaires are nothing to be daunted about in my opinion and the post assessment reports were detailed and prompt. Still a lot to take in, as understanding why I think like I do is very new and not a solution. However, all in all it was a painless process and seemed good for me. I hope it goes well for you... 

I got a diagnosis from clinical partners towards the end of last year. I found the communication from them pretty poor and they could do more to reassure you when you are waiting that you are on the list and haven't been forgotten. The attitude seemed to be, you'll hear from us when you hear from us so don't bother getting in touch. I think I waited about eight months in the end, when I was told it would be a five month wait initially.

In terms of the actual assessment process, I have no complaints on that. The two assessors I had made me feel comfortable with the process and the report at the end was thorough and accurate.

I was diagnosed through Clinical Partners late last year. It was quick process which I only started earlier in the year. They were professional, but very reassuring. They didn't push me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with during the ADOS and they listened carefully to my mam during the informant interview. I was able to clarify what they were asking when needed and they were considerate when asking for clarification from us. The report at the end was very informative. The whole experience was positive, in fact I am going back to them for an ADHD assessment.

Thanks. That's interesting as I don't like the idea of zoom, not sure why I don't.

1. Definitely not catching you out. In fact, in the ADI-R, Geeta stopped my mum as she was nervous and reassured her that she listens without question to experiences and was extremely validating. All of your concerns were all of ours too but i assure you you are in good hands  it felt very positive and supportive afterwards 

Should have mentioned - I did my sessions on zoom and I asked if they could conduct the informant interview by phone, just thought it might be easier for my mum to navigate as she doesn't really use zoom. I found it a bit easier having that separation over zoom vs being in the actual room with someone.

Wow thank you so much for that. I'm going to make notes there is so much useful info in your reply :) nice to read your line about them not trying to catch you out. My brain has been functioning that way recently I must say. Thank you

G

Thank you so so much for your reply, it's massively useful and I really appreciate it. I hope you got everything you needed from it :)

Hi!

I've just had my assessment with Clinical Partners but I went through my wife's BUPA so it was fairly quick. The first set of questionnaires are short versions of some of the multiple choice ones on Embrace Autism (if you haven't seen that, it's here: https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/), about ten questions on each questionnaire. There's an additional set of questions which you can write a bit more about your concerns, experiences and that sort of thing. I scanned my school reports and uploaded those to the portal which I think was quite helpful as extra background evidence.

The interview wasn't too bad, I was nervous but the assessor was very easy to talk to and encouraging. I over-ran the time allowed by a little bit, but that didn't seem to matter. My mum did the informant interview which didn't need to take the full three hours allotted, and then I had the feedback session about a week or two later when they gave me my diagnosis. The report came through the following day.

I think the people I saw at Clinical Partners were really positive, they explained everything carefully and used language which was supportive and not demeaning. I don't have any reference point for good or bad assessors more generally, but I thought they were very good.

I wish you the best! 

I had a camhs assessment (was 17) so the questionares may have been slightly different, but there was 5 to complete. I did 2, both multiple choice: an RCADS (sores obsessive behaviour, anxiety, depression and SDQ (strengths and difficulties) and part of it was also testing hyperactivity (like an adhd screening thing). My mum (informant) completed 2, one a parent version of the rcads/sdq and a longer questionare that asked things like: what are the difficulties you want the doctor to understand/what do you wish to get out of the assessment?. There was also a school questionare but as I'm home educated my mum was asked to complete that.

My mum wrote a lot of detail in the questionares (We made a word document where we had reflected on my childhood, past and current indicators, what i found difficult, special interests etc. that we had used to compile the responses). as there was so much detail, the informant appointment only just less than 2hrs. we were told it only lasts usually 2-2.5hrs. It went through developmental history (pregnancy, birth, medical conditions, current presentation+ lots of asking it this was the same when i was a younger child). My mum did bring in a condensed version of our original notes to refer back to and found it helpful. Some questions she wasnt prepared for (they'd asked if i had a social smile, pointed at things etc.) that my mum wasn't fully certain on the answer but it didnt effect the results as you dont need to have every indicator, just enough to suggest you have autism. 

They do ask a lot of questions, they dont rely on you to just volunteer it. Geeta (the lady my mum saw for the ADI-R) would ask further questions if she felt she did not have enough information. They just want to help and gain insight on you, they arent trying to catch you out!

The ADOS assessment i had was up to 90 mins and was guided discussion (asking about peer relationships, sensory sensitivities, emotions etc.) Then there was a few tasks toward the end so very much scaffolded by the assessors.

We attached CAMHS letters (private/community re my mental health + they had suggested autistic traits), school reports and my psychiatrists review letter. My advise is just to add as many as you deem relevant as it just builds a bigger picture/if they dont think its relevant they'll just focus on the ones that are. I think we attatched 5-7 documents. 

Hope this helps! If you have any more dont hesitate to ask

Ah thank you.

I had my appointment phonecall this morning, so having mine mid April

Haven't looked at my questionnaires yet. Almost too nervy... 

My questions if you don't mind:

What are the questionnaires like?

What is the 3 hour informant appointment like? (That's a long time...)

Do they draw the info out of you? (Nervous I won't think of something like I'm failing an exam)

How many documents did you include that you didn't have to? (I have several)

Lastly (I promise...), how many notes did you bring in/were they useful at the time?

Hi, I was referred at the end of February last year, I received an email saying they would contact me shortly and that my triage had been accepted around mid september. I received a call Mid november and had my appointments about 2 weeks later (1st and 3rd december)  and there was a few forms to fill out beforehand. I had my feedback j3 weeks later where i was diagnosed (They normally do 2 weeks but as mine was over Christmas time there was more absences).

Wishing you the best of luck, im happy to answer anymore questions.

Ah thanks!

Hi! I wasn't diagnosed through clinical partners, but I saw a couple of good YouTube videos about someone's experience with them (from late 2024). Here's the link to their channel if it's any help :)

youtube.com/@followingthegoose